A mild earthquake tremor was felt across several parts of Kolkata just minutes ago, sending residents rushing out of homes and offices.
The tremor, which lasted for a few moments, was experienced in areas across Kolkata, according to early eyewitness accounts.
"I was commuting when I felt the tremor. Although I wasn't sure if it, considering that Kolkata is not a major earthquake-prone zone, other commuters experiencing the same thing, cleared my confusion," an eyewitness recounted. Some people reported feeling a “strong jolt.”
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How strong was the tremor?
The tremors, felt across large parts of West Bengal and the northeast, came from a 5.7-magnitude earthquake that struck neighbouring Bangladesh.
The National Centre for Seismology reported that the quake originated in Narsingdi, just 13 km south-southwest of the district headquarters. It hit at 10:08 am at a shallow depth of 10 km. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) also confirmed Bangladesh as the epicentre.
Meanwhile, across Kolkata, from EM Bypass to Behala, from Salt Lake to Park Street, people felt buildings shudder lightly. Within seconds, the staircases filled up as residents and office workers rushed downstairs. Schools paused classes. Markets emptied out. Traffic policemen even reported seeing commuters halt suddenly and step out of vehicles in confusion.
Social media, predictably, became the first public barometer of fear
“Small quake but big panic,” one user wrote on X. Another user remarked, “That #earthquake lasted over 30 seconds and was very powerful.” Many Kolkatans reported swaying ceiling fans and vibrating desks, with some saying the tremor felt longer than usual.
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In Guwahati, too, people evacuated their offices as precautionary alerts were issued. However, officials across Bengal and Assam confirmed that there were no reports of casualties or structural damage.
